Morning!
We are new hosts and I’d appreciate feedback from experienced hosts on how to review our first (mildly) challenging guest. We did receive notice that she has already written a review for us. We are currently 3/3 5 stars.
-Guest booked one night with no reviews.
-Requested a two hour late checkout which was approved (and I thought generous?).
-Guest booked for 2 guests but 5 came. Relevant in that housekeeper was not expecting to change five bed linens when she agreed to fast turnaround clean. Also, 20!! Towels were used for a one night stay.
-House was left in a bit of a mess to include makeup smeared on white walls and bacon grease spilled in microwave. This also increased turnaround cleaning time.
-Checkout instructions were not followed. Trash was in the yard, bathroom cans were not emptied, trash was not bagged which is a big problem for bears.
-Home was left unlocked and unsecured. Guests appeared to use back door to avoid Ring doorbell and all doors were left unlocked with no communication that they had left.
-Nice living room throw blanket is MIA.
-Guest did send a private message saying we were “lovely hosts and they would be back.”
I would love input on how many stars you would leave and whether you would factually include any of the above in a public review or private? I would use a Shiny Boot Sandwich approach and say something positive first. (Very pleasant in communication perhaps.) Or, are these just part of the host experience and I should let it go?
Also, I’m unclear on current policy for blocking guests. If I block her in messages will that still prevent her from future booking? Reporting her as offensive seems disproportionate but I’m unclear on most up to date policies. I would prefer not to host them again if I have that ability.
TIA for your thoughts!
